Alleged ‘misplacement’ of nomination papers, ECI orders of probe

Itanagar: Tejang Chakma, editor of The Chakma Reporter, a social media news site, has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking a high-level probe into the alleged rejection of the nomination of candidate Drishyamuni Chakma. of 49 Bordamsa-Devan Assembly Constituency of Arunachal Pradesh.
Chakma alleged that the Returning Officer had ‘falsified’ Chakma’s papers on March 28, 2024, due to which his nomination was rejected.
He urged the ECI to suspend or transfer the Returning Officer for a fair and impartial inquiry and suspend the elections if the inquiry is not completed immediately.

The Chakma Reporter had earlier reported about the rejection of Chakma’s nomination on 29 March 2024, citing insufficient documents.

However, Nikash Chakma, Editor of The Diyun Times, claimed that the documents were ‘misplaced’ by the officials, including the Returning Officer cum Additional Deputy Commissioner of Bordumsa.

Tejang Chakma demanded that the ECI take action against the officials responsible for misplacing the documents or register an FIR against Nikash Chakma and his associates under the Indian Penal Code for spreading fake news and promoting enmity between communities.

He also alleged that several other irregularities have been committed by the ERO cum the Returning Officer.

The Diyun Times is a local news channel known to the Chakmas and Hajongs of the 49-Bordumsa Diyun Assembly constituency. Nikash Chakma’s comments have raised questions about the impartiality and objectivity of the ECI in conducting the Assembly Elections.

Tejang Chakma further stated that the Chakmas and Hajongs face racial discrimination in Arunachal Pradesh and the rejection of Chakma’s nomination form after misplacing the documents is a serious issue as it tantamounts to the Election Commission officials deciding the outcome before the first vote was cast.

The ECI has been urged to take cognizance of the irregularities and take action against all the officials responsible for ‘misplacing the documents’.